Alexandra Effective, CEO of Dame, instructed FOX Enterprise that the corporate added the cost the way in which they did as a result of they wished to be clear with clients.
As extra industries felt the influence of tariffs, sexual wellness firm Dame Merchandise noticed it as a possibility to do one thing distinctive and even somewhat enjoyable.
Till lately, Dame clients discovered one thing sudden of their cart — a picture of a wig resembling President Donald Trump’s hair, labeled “Trump tariff surcharge,” with a $5.00 price. In response to Dame Merchandise CEO Alexandra Effective, it was the corporate’s method of being clear with clients in regards to the challenges posed by the tariffs.
“[For] Dame, most of our {hardware} merchandise or vibrators are produced in China. We additionally make a variety of stuff within the US as nicely, however all of these merchandise have been significantly impacted by the tariffs,” Effective instructed FOX Enterprise. Effective stated the instability and shifting tariff charges ultimately pressured her to take motion.
Dame Merchandise graphic explaining the “Trump Tariff Surcharge” in clients’ carts. (Courtesy: Dame Merchandise)
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The tariffs have impacted Dame’s money circulation, in keeping with Effective, who stated all of it comes all the way down to stock. She defined that her deliberate stock purchases have been turned the other way up because the tariffs went into place, making it so she wants greater than double the sum of money she deliberate on needing this yr.
In an effort to keep up transparency, Dame warned clients that costs would enhance — a transfer Effective stated triggered some “panic shopping for” as folks tried to get their palms on what they wished earlier than the change. Nevertheless, as soon as the tariff surcharge was added, the variety of clients really finishing checkout dropped by 30%, in keeping with Effective.

Dame Merchandise provides “Trump Tariff Surcharge” to clients’ carts.–>
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Though Dame has since eliminated the surcharge, the transfer didn’t go unnoticed. Effective stated that the corporate has seen combined reactions to its Trump surcharge, some — significantly these on social media — cherished it, however others weren’t followers.
“It has been attention-grabbing getting some backlash from some Republicans who help the tariffs,” Effective instructed FOX Enterprise, saying she felt like she threw herself right into a political controversy. “It simply appears like main authorities intervention,” Effective stated, referring to the tariffs.

President Donald Trump holds a chart as he delivers remarks on reciprocal tariffs throughout an occasion within the Rose Backyard entitled “Make America Rich Once more” on the White Home in Washington, D.C., on April 2, 2025. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP through Getty Pictures)
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Regardless of the seemingly controversial nature of the imagery used with the surcharge, Effective instructed FOX Enterprise that Dame was not attempting to be political.
“The actions that we’ve taken at Dame weren’t politically motivated. They had been motivated by transparency,” Effective stated. “It did not come from a spot of, ‘Oh, we’re on this facet and don’t like the opposite, so we’re doing X.’ It is as a result of these insurance policies impacted my enterprise in a method that over the previous 11 years, I had not skilled earlier than. And I wished to take motion to advocate for this little firm that I like.”